Mattel has 2nd recall

More than 9 million products made in China are affected by the latest action

August 15, 2007|By Sara K. Clarke, Sentinel Staff Writer

Parents will be scrutinizing their children's toy boxes today, as toy executives keep an eye on reaction to recent negative publicity.

The toy industry got more bad news Tuesday, as Mattel Inc. issued a second recall of Chinese-made products that may pose hazards -- just as retailers are about to begin preparations for the holiday shopping season.

The latest recall includes more than 9 million play sets -- including Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures -- that contain small, powerful magnets that could be swallowed. Recalled die-cast Sarge cars contain lead paint.

As retailers removed products from the shelves Tuesday, the California-based toymaker said it is increasing oversight and testing in its production processes, and indicated the rash of recalls might not be over.

"There is no guarantee that we will not be here again and have more recalls," Mattel chief executive Bob Eckert said, adding "We are testing at a very high level here."

In Central Florida, some adults expressed alarm about the recalls and concern about the safety of their youngsters' toys.

"I just heard it this morning. I'm really worried," said Hoa Michelle Ek, an Orlando Realtor who was enjoying a day at the park with her 9-month-old granddaughter. "She loves to put everything in her mouth."

The recall is also another black eye for China, which recently has had a string of issues with its exports -- including tainted dog food and toothpaste.

"China is clearly now on the do-not-buy list for lots of people," said Eli Portnoy, chief brand strategist of the Portnoy Group, which has offices in Orlando and Los Angeles. "There is a sense that there is a willful intent among Chinese companies to make profit at whatever cost, even if it means harming consumers."

And that's bad news for the toy industry, just as retailers move into the fall months when they begin ramping up for the holiday season. Toymakers rely on China for about 80 percent of toys sold in the United States.

Parents -- who typically buy toys as an impulse purchase to satisfy children -- are now stopping to consider their purchases, Portnoy said.

"This will have far-reaching impact," he added.

But the toy industry said recalls are part of the safety process in place to help consumers.

Toy companies are the ones that are responsible to see that a factory is following U.S. guidelines, and Mattel has been diligent in the past, said Carter Keithley, president of the Toy Industry Association Inc.

"Mattel has typically been very, very thorough and faithful about doing it," Keithley said.

"We're trying to help everyone keep this in perspective," he added. "We've been sourcing product from China for over 30 years now."

Among the newest recalls, many of the magnetic toys are older and may have been purchased as early as 2003. While the Consumer Product Safety Commission said no injuries had been reported with any of the products recalled Tuesday, at least one U.S. child has died and 19 others have needed surgery since 2003 after swallowing magnets used in toys, the government said.

"That could be dangerous for some kids," said Kristina Martinez of Kissimmee, who has a 4-year-old son, Miguel. "He's at the age where if it breaks, he shows it to me. He doesn't stick anything in his mouth."

Die-cast Sarge cars from the Pixar movie Cars were also on the recall list, because they contained lead paint, which can be toxic if ingested by young children. Under current regulations, children's products found to have more than .06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall.

Exposure to lead can affect children's growth and development, as well as cause problems such as anemia, kidney damage, behavior issues and hearing problems, said Dr. Lloyd Werk, who is in consultative pediatrics with Nemours.

In Florida, children are routinely tested for lead at ages 1 and 2, and screened at other checkups until they are 6, but if parents suspect exposure they should contact their pediatrician, Werk said. "If you have a younger child who's known to mouth and chew on these toys, I would alert their pediatrician."